Long lines and even longer wait times greeted customers during opening week of Wingstop’s newest franchise in Hurricane’s Liberty Square, located within a half-hour drive of Marshall’s campus.
The fast-casual restaurant brings Wingstop’s menu of chicken wings, sides and desserts to Putnam County. The Liberty Square location is about a 27-minute drive from campus, which has sparked interest from many students who commute to Huntington from surrounding communities.
Wingstop offers a wide range of wing flavors, including lemon pepper, mango habanero, garlic parmesan, original hot and hot honey rub. According to the restaurant’s website, the Hurricane location is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Employees said the opening week brought steady crowds, particularly during lunch and afternoon hours.
“It’s been steady and very busy,” Wingstop employee Ariana Atkins said. “We see a lot of students coming in, especially around lunchtime.”
Atkins said boneless wings have been among the most popular items on the menu, with honey rub and original buffalo flavors drawing the most orders. She said the restaurant has remained fully staffed during its opening period.
“There was a lot of preparation before opening,” Atkins said. “A lot of cooking, training and cleaning to make sure everyone knew what they were doing before the big day.”
Customers interviewed during the opening week cited familiarity with the brand and convenience as key reasons for visiting.
Bryce Schneider, who ordered online before arriving, said he was excited to see Wingstop open in the area.
“I’m actually from Atlanta, and we have Wingstop down there,” Schneider said. “When I saw one was opening here, I knew I had to get some.”
Schneider said the Hurricane location appeared busy but met his expectations for food quality.
“The food was hot, and the fries were nice and crispy,” he said. “I got a 20-piece wing with a large fry, and I’m stuffed.”
Schneider said the restaurant compares favorably in value to other fast-casual dining options.
“You can get 20 wings, fries and a drink for about $20,” Schneider said. “That’s about what one higher-end meal costs at Chick-fil-A.”
Some students said high demand during the restaurant’s opening week created challenges. Several Marshall students reported long lines during the late afternoon and early evening hours, with some choosing to leave rather than wait.
Other students who visited during the opening week said wait times for online orders stretched well beyond expectations. A Marshall University student couple who traveled from Huntington said they waited nearly two hours for their order, adding that while the food met expectations, the experience was not worth the time. They said they would consider returning once opening-week crowds settle down.
Customers also noted the restaurant’s limited interior space made it difficult to accommodate the volume of customers during peak hours, contributing to longer waits.
Wingstop was founded in Texas in 1994 and has expanded to more than 2,500 locations worldwide. With the opening of its Hurricane restaurant, the chain adds another nearby dining option for Marshall students and residents in Putnam County seeking convenient meals outside campus.
David Lozano can be contacted at [email protected].
